Tag Archives: Piper Rayne

A Co-Worker’s Crush by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: A Co-Worker’s Crush
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: The Rooftop Crew #6
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I’m not sure why I decided to pick up the final book in The Rooftop Crew series last. But I’m really glad that I did. It was a fun and engaging read, and has really made me keen to dive into the rest of the series. Plus, it was the first contemporary romance book that I’ve read by Piper Rayne that isn’t also a sports romance. It just shows that they can also write well in this genre, with slightly more damaged heroes and heroines than I have previously expected.

Frankie and Jax work together wonderfully well. They go from workmates who irritate each other, to friends, to lovers, to forever. And it was so much fun going through this transition with both of them. Plus, they are both working through their own legal and social battles to try and get answers and clarity in their lives. Again, a journey that I enjoyed as a backdrop to their romance. The use of tattoo artists in this world was also a unique and fun angle to take. I haven’t read many (if any) contemporary romances which feature a tattoo parlour and tattoo artists as the leads. I always love finding out about new worlds in the joys of my readings.

Although Frankie and Jax don’t really do the apart and back together part of the relationship that I was expecting, they definitely have some battles to face. In fact, the largest battle that they have to face is that they need to learn to trust again. Or, in the case of Jax, fully learn to trust for the first time ever. I really enjoyed that throughout all of this, Jolie, Frankie’s daughter is a slightly manipulative driver of everything. It is done through the lens of childhood innocence, but it was quite entertaining watching (in my mind’s eye) Jax and Frankie fumbling with how to deal with her desires and choices.

A Co-Worker’s Crush by Piper Rayne was a relatively low angst story that just involved a lot of personal growth. Frankie’s dealings with her ex were horrible, but I love how her mother-in-law quickly steps in and deals with him when she’s over his nonsense. Rather than being a relationship that was strained because of the outside influences, which I kind of expected, this was one that was very much influenced by the internal battles the couple are facing. It is their past they have to move on from, not the present nonsense that they have to overcome. I loved this and can’t wait to go back to the beginning of the series to see how all of the other couples fell in love first.

<- The Do-OverMore Piper Rayne ->

Image source: Piper Rayne

The Issue with bad Boy Roommates by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Issue with Bad Boy Roommates
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Lake Starlight #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Going on a journey with Brinley and Van as they go from flirtation to roommates to lovers was ridiculously fun. I also like how they both have their own character growth and development to go through. This isn’t the first book in the Lake Starlight series, and now I want to read more about not only the Lake Starlight romances, but I also want to dive into the Baileys series. I get the feeling that the Baileys is a precursor to the couples that occur in the Lake Starlight books and I must read them all now.

I spent most of this story waiting for the conflict, the other shoe to drop. However, what I did not expect was the way in which this occurred. I thought that the conflict would be a point of internal concern that would make either Van or Brin basically run away from their connection. Which, it kind of was. But, mostly, it was a point of conflict that was completely enmeshed in their pasts. It was a total twist, that up until right before the reveal, I honesty didn’t see coming. Which, of course, I absolutely loved.

Brin being widowed at a young age was a really interesting and somewhat intense concept. I love how preceding her meeting Van for the first time, Brin has very obviously worked through the different stages of grief. As someone who is going through grief, I love that Piper Rayne deals with the length of time it takes to deal with this and the different aspects of ongoing grief so well. Brin’s strength at finally breaking free of the slightly toxic cycle of overprotection was also completely emotional and empowering. Moving forward from this cycle and the grief is an amazing moment and part of why I loved this story so much.

This was one of those contemporary romances that I just didn’t want to put down. The backgrounds of both the characters was brilliant. And I loved the growth that they both go through to find their happily ever afters. Brinley and Van are a wonderful couple, their ability to support and love one another made me all happy inside. And now I want to read more about the rest of the Bailey clan as they all find their happily ever afters.

<- The Problem with Second ChancesThe Trouble with Runaway Brides ->

Image source: Barnes and Noble

You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Kingsmen Football Stars #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’ve been waiting to read You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows since the fun little prequel, False Start. I’m not really sure what distracted me from diving straight in. But I’m really glad that I eventually got there. As with all of the Piper Rayne books I’ve had the privilege of reading, I absolutely adored this. You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows was a fun and enjoyable sports romance. One that not only had a wonderful couple in the lead, with a whole lot of past that majorly complicated things. But, it also introduced a new cast of characters that I couldn’t help but love. They were fun and I can’t wait to read about each of the boys falling to the women they decide to love like dominoes.

As much as I enjoyed this romance, Shayna is far more forgiving than I think I could be. But, I know how to hold a grudge, and Shayna is definitely a lot more grown up and sweet than I could ever hope to be. Don’t get me wrong, she does hold onto her feelings for a little while, and her being able to forgive Lee for his childish nonsense is a big point of their conflict. But, the past and past hurts weren’t the only things that acted as a point of conflict for the couple. I like that there are other challenges that they face, all coloured by the past, but also influenced by the present. Rather than being bitter and stuck with what has been before, Shayna manages to be optimistic and kind in all of her dealings.

Although Lee is very obviously apologetic for his past stupidity, he is also a little too enmeshed in his own privilege. He consistently believes that because he thinks or says something will be so, it will turn out the way that he wants. Even when Shayna warns him, repeatedly about the consequences of his choices, he just… barrels on ahead. Honestly, his surprise at the outcome of their final hurdle to be together was almost laughable. If it wasn’t for the fact that his privilege made me want to smack him round the head and scoff “idiot”. Yet, this very steep (and kind of unnecessary if he’d just listened to Shayna) learning curve actually acts as a mechanism for him to learn about his privilege. I like that he ultimately acknowledges that he was acting in a very ignorant manner and figures out a way to move forwards with his head just a little further out of his own butt.

I can’t wait to read You Can’t Kiss the Nanny, Brady Banks. His story is set up perfectly, as I’m discovering many of the stories in the Piper Rayne world are. I might not be reading each of the series (and even individual stories) in order, but each and every journey into this world is a whole lot of fun. You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows is a good, easy and fun sports romance that had me smiling and, honestly, believing anything is possible. A great way to depart reality and just enjoy what I have the privilege of burying my literary nose into.

<- False StartYou Can’t Kiss the Nanny, Brady Banks ->

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Best Laid Plans by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Best Laid Plans
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Blue Collar Brothers #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, First responders romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Best Laid Plans is a great little teaser hint for the Blue Collar Brothers series. It not only introduces the three Bianco brothers who will feature in this series. But, it also fantastically introduces the three women who are going to be their love interests. Lauren, Vanessa and Maddie all manage to win one “date” for their friends in this auction. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen when each of these unwilling couples collides. And how the sparks will fly beautifully in doing so.

This is a fantastic novella that works as a brilliant prequel to a series I can’t wait to sink my teeth into. Not only does it introduce the six members of the three couples perfectly, it also starts to hint at the different hangups of the three women involved. I love a good amount of character development in my stories, and the different ways the three women are against their incoming dates hints at a whole lot of character development in this series. oh, and did I mention that each of the brothers is a First Responder? There is just something about a man in uniform…

One of the things that I’ve come to love about Piper Rayne is the way that they introduce a series. By writing a short prequel novella like Best Laid Plans, they are able to pull you into a world that is wonderfully unexpected. Plus, it provides teasers for not just one book, but for three different ones. It leads into the series perfectly, and I’m completely excited to dive headfirst into Flirting with Fire.

<- More Piper RayneFlirting with Fire ->

Image source: Piper Rayne

My Lucky #13 by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: My Lucky #13
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Hockey Hotties #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I knew from the very first moment reading about Aiden and Saige in Countdown to a Kiss that I was going to love their story. I mean, they are just way too cute. And sweet. And just all of the things that I love in a good couple. The fact that they build their relationship on friendship and respect just made me love them all that much more. The fact that they are able to build this relationship with each other when they are dealing with an overriding lust for one another… it was honestly an impossible book to put down.

I’ve heard about superstitions in pro athletes, but I love how Piper Rayne was able to take this idea and give you a superstition that wasn’t quite what I expected. Having a drink thrown in the face of lucky #13 was hilarious. And it was downright joyful just to see how everyone reacted to a superstition which isn’t exactly glorious. Plus, it gives you a beautiful Meet Cute. And it also leads to Saige really recognising how much of an inconsiderate fool Joran is at times. Particularly when he just… is okay with Aiden and Saige travelling around the country together with no second thoughts.

This was one of those romances where I thought the biggest challenge would be the couple actually getting together. And I was ridiculously excited when they did… only to realise just how much of this book was left. They’re a great couple, and seeing that plenty of the book was left just made me realise that there was more than one road bump in the way. That final twist was incredibly sad and hurt my  heart a whole lot. But, I love how they still found their way to each other and created their own happily ever after, moving past the nonsense of the past.

Not only was My Lucky #13 a wonderful read, but it beautifully set up the drama that is to come for Maksim and Ford. This showed the brotherhood of the hockey teams, the high stakes of being a professional athlete. And also the trouble two of Aiden’s best friends are about to find themselves in. Drama that is going to be absolutely delicious to read (and probably impossible to put down too).

<- Countdown to a KissThe Trouble with #9 ->

Image source: Kobo

False Start by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: False Start
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Kingsmen Football Stars #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2022

Thoughts

False Start is the beginning to Lee and Shayna’s story and one that I think is going to give the first book in this series a whole heap of wonderful texture. After reading this, I just can’t wait to dive into You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows and see what happens when they reconnect years later. Particularly since all of the bumbles in this come from youth and misunderstandings. It creates a story that is so angsty and makes you want both Lee and Shayna to be happy and complete in their lives. I absolutely adored this and I’m hanging to get my teeth into yet another fun and awesome Piper Rayne sports romance.

If I’m being totally honest, Lee is a total and utter fool. He just can’t seem to get his head around the fact that he comes from a place of privilege and that him and his friends might be able to hurt someone else’s feelings. Then, there’s the fact that if he was just honest, he would probably have been able to fix things with Shayna and not waster so much time. I’m also programmed to trust and like Shayna more anyway as the geeky girl who always felt a little overlooked. So I most definitely get that feeling of betrayal that she experiences at the end of this story.

I did love the organic nature of Shayna and Lee getting to know one another. They spend time together learning, and then get to know one another through this. it’s also nice that it’s away from all of the pomp and circumstance that Lee is used to. Thus, a much more genuine and sweet budding romance. And now on to see what happens after all of the drama of False Start.

<- More Piper RayneYou Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows ->

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Countdown to a Kiss by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Countdown to a Kiss
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Hockey Hotties #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

As with On the Defense, I love how Countdown to a Kiss follows three couples in one night. And, in doing so, introduces a whole new series that I can’t wait to dive into! There is something about getting that teaser of each couples’ beginning dynamics that makes me want to dive into the series. The fact that this also establishes the connections between the six people just draws me in all that more wonderfully.

Not only does this beautifully set up the first three couples for the Hockey Hotties series, it is also a great little New Years Eve story. One that was all about the countdown and midnight kisses and ringing in the New Year. Plus, there’s just the usual sense of mayhem to the whole story line and tale. It gives a great part of beginnings and the beauty of potential.

This is almost a bit of a series of short snapshots in time for six different people. It’s all about the hockey world and being on the precipice of change. And I absolutely loved this!

<- More Piper RayneMy Lucky #13 ->

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Something Like Hate by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Something Like Hate
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Chicago Grizzlies #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

After reading On the Defense, I couldn’t wait to dive into Something Like Hate, Bryce and Miles’ story. I mean, they are fantastic and filled with conflict from the beginning. And they’re definitely a couple that I want to work out from the very beginning. But, they do take a little bit of time to find their feet and find their way to one another. And then, when they do and you realise that there is a whole lot more story to come… it’s definitely a bit of a battle to put the book down.

This was a fairly typical sports romance, which is what I kind of loved about it if I’m being honest. There is something easy and enjoyable about reading a sports romance, particularly when the male leads are hockey players. There is something so appealing about the sport, and I love that they encompass all of the “alpha” male traits that I enjoy without the toxicity of real life. Plus, the predictability of a good sports romance is one of the reasons it is a pleasant diversion from real life. However, Piper Rayne still managed to throw in enough curveballs to stop it from being boring, and make it hard to put down.

The biggest spicing up of this story is the conflict of interest that Bryce experiences with work. It makes it hard to figure out just how Miles and Bryce are going to make things work and have a future together. Plus, it makes the double cross at the end even more frustrating and sad. I mean, it was obvious that there was going to be something thrown up, but just what it would be was a surprise. Luckily, as with all good romances, this is resolved fairly nicely, but it still leads to some uncomfortable and worrying moments.

I absolutely adored this story, and now I can’t wait to read the next two books in this series – Miles’ two friends both deserve their own happy endings, and I really want to read their stories. Plus, there’s a whole interrelated universe with a number of romances to dive into. A whole new world of happiness and happily ever afters to dive into.

<- On the DefenseSomething Like Lust ->

Image source: Amazon

On the Defense by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: On the Defense
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Chicago Grizzlies #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I normally enjoy a good prequel novel, but the fact that this one is the prequel to the three different romances in this series? Absolutely brilliant. As a hint to the rest of the story, and a prequel for a whole series, this is brilliant. I mean, it made me incredibly keen to dive straight into the series and find out just how each of the three couples find their happily ever after moments.

Even though there are a number of open endings and hints at the greater story throughout this, I did get particularly fixated on Miles and Bryce. Probably because they are the first story in the series and they are the ones that are right on the cusp of action. I love that it’s a hate to love dynamic with a whole heap of unexplained history. How could I not be intrigued and drawn in immediately?

This novel is filled with open endings and potential. I think that Piper Rayne is brilliant in that they are able to set up three prequels in the one storyline. And make you just want to dive right into the series without a second thought.

<- More Piper RayneSomething Like Hate ->

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Single and Ready to Jingle by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Single and Ready to Jingle
Author: Piper Rayne
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

There is always something about grumpy/sunshine romances that I love. That goes extra for when those romances are grinch/sunshine romances. I mean, who wouldn’t love a romance that is based on someone who hates Christmas falling for someone who loves Christmas? The fact that it starts with a blind date that goes epically wrong in a very short amount of time just made it so much better and more entertaining. I mean, who rocks up to a blind date in an elf costume?!?!

Single and Ready to Jingle is an incredibly sweet and easy to read romance. It’s one of those happy reads that makes it nice to have a bit of a break from reality and a cuppa. It also had the unexpected benefit of the best friend’s sister / brother’s best friend trope. I didn’t quite expect it, because it was approached in a slightly different way. But, it was still a light hearted and sweet read. One that I will probably dive into again next Christmas.

One of the reasons I’m particularly a fan of the grinch/sunshine trope is because I married a man who is a bit of a grinch. I absolutely adored that for the entirety of this story, it was about trying to get the grinch-man to fall back in love with Christmas. It’s definitely a battle that I’ve fought over the years and it made me incredibly happy to know that it is probably some other peoples’ experience as well. Plus, it was a really nice way for Piper Rayne to highlight all of the things that they love about Christmas.

It was kind of surprising how late into the story the conflict hit. I was expecting, with the personality differences, the tragic first date and all of the other challenges this couple faces for the conflict to occur much, much earlier. As a result, I spent a lot of the time reading this book in a feeling of unrelenting suspense. Which worked really well, I would have enjoyed this writing regardless, but keeping me in suspense for the point of conflict ended up making me read this a whole lot quicker. In fact, I barely put this down from the moment I cracked it. Because suspense.

I absolutely adored Single and Ready to Jingle, not only is it one of the catchiest titles in my collection, but it was also a really sweet story. This was one of those tales that just works well at Christmas. But, it also had the conflict and the character development that I always crave in a really good read.

<- Claus and EffectMore Piper Rayne ->

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